Player Development

AHJSA REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMThe AHJSA Development Program has been set up in order to enhance the talents of players from the Adelaide Hills. Established in 2008 this program is a joint initiative between FFSA and the AHJSA and is directed towards boys aged 7-10 years old and girls aged 7-12 years old to provide the best training/coaching by highly skilled, specialist development coaches.

The Program is one of four Regional Centres initiated by the FFSA and complements the other Centres opened in the Riverland, Mt Gambier and Whyalla. However the AHJSA Centre is the only program which has been extended to include a separate squad for girls. The emphasis for these Centres will be on strong technical skills and the start of good game skills. There will be a nationally standardized approach to the development of these young players through adherence to the National Football Curriculum of the Football Federation Australia and following the criteria developed under the accreditation & rating scheme.

This program is part of the pathway which has been established to allow a smooth transition from Country Association representation through to State and Country development squads and teams and then National representation. This pathway can only be accessed through the programs sanctioned by the FFSA and run by its affiliated associations such as the AHJSA.

REPRESENTATIVE DEVELOPMENT SQUADSAll AHJSA Clubs are invited to send players to trial for AHJSA Representative Teams Development Squads. From These Development Squads the final team for the State and Country Championships will be chosen, however the remaining squad members will continue to train with the team as a squad. Development training will use the Football Federation Australia's National Football Curriculum and be delivered by fully qualified coaches.

In order to ensure that the AHJSA is represented by its best players in an age group players must trial in their correct age group. Playing in their correct age group also ensures that players will have the opportunity to be observed by Country Zone and State coaches.

GRASS ROOTS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (7-10 Year Old Boys and 7-12 Year Old Girls)Dates and times for Grass Roots Development Program sessions will be posted here when available.